U.S. patent number 5,622,376 [Application Number 08/395,416] was granted by the patent office on 1997-04-22 for stroller with folding mechanism for compact collapsing arrangement.
Invention is credited to Louis Shamie.
United States Patent |
5,622,376 |
Shamie |
April 22, 1997 |
Stroller with folding mechanism for compact collapsing
arrangement
Abstract
A stroller includes a pair of side frames, each including a main
side tube comprised of upper and lower tube portions pivotally
mounted to each other, a rear side tube pivotally connected to the
upper tube portion, and a support rod pivotally connected to the
rear side tube and to the lower tube portion; a rear articulated
spreader bar mechanism for connecting together the rear side tubes
of the pair of side frames, the rear articulated spreader bar
mechanism including a pair of rear pivoting spreader bars, each
pivotally connected at one end thereof to a respective rear side
tube and at an opposite end thereof to the other rear pivoting
spreader bar; a front articulated spreader bar mechanism for
connecting together the lower tube portions of the pair of side
frames, the front articulated spreader bar mechanism including a
pair of front pivoting spreader bars, each pivotally connected at
one end thereof to a respective lower tube portion and at an
opposite end thereof to the other front pivoting spreader bar; and
actuating rods connected between the support rods and each of the
rear articulated spreader bar mechanisms and the front articulated
spreader bar means, such that folding of the upper tube portions
relative to the lower tube portions in a lengthwise direction of
the stroller causes articulation of the front and rear articulated
spreader bar mechanisms which results in widthwise contraction of
the stroller.
Inventors: |
Shamie; Louis (Brooklyn,
NY) |
Family
ID: |
23562940 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/395,416 |
Filed: |
February 27, 1995 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
280/642; 280/42;
280/650; 297/16.2; 297/46 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62B
7/08 (20130101); B62B 7/064 (20130101); B62B
9/206 (20130101); B62B 2205/02 (20130101); B62B
2205/20 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B62B
7/00 (20060101); B62B 7/08 (20060101); B62B
7/06 (20060101); B62B 9/20 (20060101); B62B
9/00 (20060101); B62B 007/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;280/642,644,42,647,650,47.38,47.4 ;297/16.2,46,48 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Johnson; Brian L.
Assistant Examiner: Mar; Michael
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Burgess, Ryan & Wayne
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A stroller comprising:
a pair of side frames, each said side frame including:
a main side tube comprised of:
an upper tube portion, and
a lower tube portion pivotally mounted at an upper end thereof to a
lower end of said upper tube portion,
a releasable locking pivot assembly for pivotally connecting a
lower end of the upper tube portion to an upper end of the lower
tube portion,
a rear side tube pivotally connected to the upper tube portion,
and
a support rod pivotally connected at one end thereof to the rear
side tube and at an opposite end thereof to the lower tube
portion;
a rear articulated spreader bar means for connecting together said
rear side tubes of said pair of side frames, said rear articulated
spreader bar means including a pair of rear pivoting spreader bars,
each pivotally connected at one end thereof to a respective said
rear side tube and at an opposite end thereof to the other rear
pivoting spreader bar; and
actuating rod means pivotally connected between at least one said
support rod and said rear articulated spreader bar means,
whereby folding of said upper tube portions relative to said lower
tube portions in a lengthwise direction of said stroller causes
articulation of said rear articulated spreader bar means which
results in contraction of said stroller in a widthwise direction
thereof.
2. A stroller according to claim 1, wherein each said upper tube
portion folds rearwardly of the respective lower tube portion.
3. A stroller according to claim 2, further comprising:
front wheels mounted to lower ends of said lower tube portions,
rear wheels mounted to lower ends of said rear side tubes, and
handles mounted to upper ends of said upper tube portions, and
wherein said front and rear wheels and said handles are adjacent
each other in a folded configuration of said stroller.
4. A stroller according to claim 1, wherein said actuating rod
means includes a first actuating rod pivotally connected at one end
thereof to the support rod of one said side frame and pivotally
connected at an opposite end thereof to one said rear pivoting
spreader bar.
5. A stroller according to claim 4, wherein said actuating rod
means further includes a second actuating rod pivotally connected
at one end thereof to the support rod on the other side frame and
pivotally connected at an opposite end thereof to the other said
rear pivoting spreader bar.
6. A stroller according to claim 1, wherein said rear articulated
spreader bar means further includes:
another pair of rear pivoting spreader bars positioned above said
one pair of rear pivoting spreader bars, each rear pivoting
spreader bar of said another pair of rear pivoting spreader bars
being pivotally connected at one end thereof to a respective said
rear side tube and at an opposite end thereof to the other rear
pivoting spreader bar; and
a connecting bar connected between the pivot connection of the rear
pivoting spreader bars of said one pair of rear pivoting spreader
bars and the pivot connection of the rear pivoting spreader bars of
said another pair of rear pivoting spreader bars.
7. A stroller according to claim 6, further comprising a scissor
frame connected between said rear pivoting spreader bars of said
one and said another pair of rear pivoting spreader bars.
8. A stroller according to claim 1, further including an upper
articulated spreader bar means for connecting together said upper
tube portions of said pair of side frames, said upper articulated
spreader bar means including a pair of upper pivoting spreader
bars, each pivotally connected at one end thereof to a respective
said upper tube portion and at an opposite end thereof to the other
upper pivoting spreader bar.
9. A stroller according to claim 8, further including an actuating
rod connected between one said rear side tube and said upper
articulated spreader bar means, whereby folding of said upper tube
portions relative to said lower tube portions in a lengthwise
direction of said stroller causes articulation of said upper
articulated spreader bar means which results in contraction of said
stroller in a widthwise direction thereof.
10. A stroller according to claim 1, further including a
collapsible seat support structure connected between said pair of
side frames.
11. A stroller according to claim 10, wherein said collapsible seat
support structure includes:
two rear support bars, each pivotally hinged at an outer end
thereof to a respective said support rod and extending horizontally
inwardly of said stroller;
two front support bars, each pivotally hinged at an outer end
thereof to a respective said support rod and extending horizontally
inwardly of said stroller; and
a connecting bar pivotally connected to inner ends of said rear and
front support bars.
12. A stroller comprising:
a pair of side frames, each said side frame including:
a main side tube comprised of:
an upper tube portion, and
a lower tube portion pivotally mounted at an upper end thereof to a
lower end of said upper tube portion,
a releasable locking pivot assembly for pivotally connecting the
lower end of the upper tube portion to the upper end of the lower
tube portion,
a rear side tube pivotally connected to the upper tube portion,
and
a support rod pivotally connected at one end thereof to the rear
side tube and at an opposite end thereof to the lower tube
portion;
a rear articulated spreader bar means for connecting together said
rear side tubes of said pair of side frames, said rear articulated
spreader bar means including a pair of rear pivoting spreader bars,
each pivotally connected at one end thereof to a respective said
rear side tube and at an opposite end thereof to the other rear
pivoting spreader bar;
a front articulated spreader bar means for connecting together said
lower tube portions of said pair of side frames, said front
articulated spreader bar means including a pair of front pivoting
spreader bars, each pivotally connected at one end thereof to a
respective said lower tube portion and at an opposite end thereof
to the other front pivoting spreader bar;
first actuating rod means pivotally connected between at least one
said support rod and said rear articulated spreader bar means;
and
second actuating rod means pivotally connected between at least one
said support rod and said front articulated spreader bar means;
whereby folding of said upper tube portions relative to said lower
tube portions in a lengthwise direction of said stroller causes
articulation of said rear articulated spreader bar means and said
front articulated spreader bar means which results in contraction
of said stroller in a widthwise direction thereof.
13. A stroller according to claim 12, wherein each said upper tube
portion folds rearwardly of the respective lower tube portion.
14. A stroller according to claim 13, further comprising:
front wheels mounted to lower ends of said lower tube portions,
rear wheels mounted to lower ends of said rear side tubes, and
handles mounted to upper ends of said upper tube portions, and
wherein said front and rear wheels and said handles are adjacent
each other in a folded configuration of said stroller.
15. A stroller according to claim 12, wherein said first actuating
rod means includes a first actuating rod pivotally connected at one
end thereof to the support rod of one said side frame and pivotally
connected at an opposite end thereof to one said rear pivoting
spreader bar.
16. A stroller according to claim 15, wherein said second actuating
rod means further includes a second actuating rod pivotally
connected at one end thereof to the support rod on said one side
frame and pivotally connected at an opposite end thereof to one
said front pivoting spreader bar.
17. A stroller according to claim 16, wherein said first actuating
rod means further includes a third actuating rod pivotally
connected at one end thereof to the support rod of the other said
side frame and pivotally connected at an opposite end thereof to
the other said rear pivoting spreader bar; and
said second actuating rod means further includes a fourth actuating
rod pivotally connected at one end thereof to the support rod on
the other side frame and pivotally connected at an opposite end
thereof to the other said front pivoting spreader bar.
18. A stroller according to claim 17, wherein said first and third
actuating rods are connected to mid-points of said rear pivoting
spreader bars, respectively, and said second and fourth actuating
rods are connected to mid-points of said front pivoting spreader
bars, respectively.
19. A stroller according to claim 12, wherein said rear articulated
spreader bar means further includes:
another pair of rear pivoting spreader bars positioned above said
one pair of rear pivoting spreader bars, each rear pivoting
spreader bar of said another pair of rear pivoting spreader bars
being pivotally connected at one end thereof to a respective said
rear side tube and at an opposite end thereof to the other rear
pivoting spreader bar; and
a connecting bar connected between the pivot connection of the rear
pivoting spreader bars of said one pair of rear pivoting spreader
bars and the pivot connection of the rear pivoting spreader bars of
said another pair of rear pivoting spreader bars.
20. A stroller according to claim 19, further comprising a scissor
frame connected between said rear pivoting spreader bars of said
one and said another pair of rear pivoting spreader bars.
21. A stroller according to claim 12, further including an upper
articulated spreader bar means for connecting together said upper
tube portions of said pair of side frames, said upper articulated
spreader bar means including a pair of upper pivoting spreader
bars, each pivotally connected at one end thereof to a respective
said upper tube portion and at an opposite end thereof to the other
upper pivoting spreader bar.
22. A stroller according to claim 21, further including an
actuating rod connected between one said rear side tube and said
upper articulated spreader bar means, whereby folding of said upper
tube portions relative to said lower tube portions in a lengthwise
direction of said stroller causes articulation of said upper
articulated spreader bar means which results in contraction of said
stroller in a widthwise direction thereof.
23. A stroller according to claim 12, further including a
collapsible seat support structure connected between said pair of
side frames.
24. A stroller according to claim 23, wherein said collapsible seat
support structure includes:
two rear support bars, each pivotally hinged at an outer end
thereof to a respective said support rod and extending horizontally
inwardly of said stroller;
two front support bars, each pivotally hinged at an outer end
thereof to a respective said support rod and extending horizontally
inwardly of said stroller; and
a connecting bar pivotally connected to inner ends of said rear and
front support bars.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to strollers, and more
particularly, is directed to a stroller which folds into a compact
arrangement.
Strollers are known which include a pair of spaced apart side frame
halves connected to each other by rigid bars, each half having a
main side tube and a rear side tube pivotally connected to the main
side tube at an intermediate portion thereof. Each main side tube
includes a lower tube portion that is pivotally mounted at its
upper end to the lower end of an upper tube portion thereof by
means of a conventional locking pivot assembly. The upper ends of
the rear side tubes are pivotally connected to a lower section of
the upper tube portions.
Hook shaped handles are fixed to the upper free ends of the upper
tube portions. The free lower ends of the lower tube portions carry
the front wheels of the stroller, while the free lower ends of the
rear side tubes carry the rear wheels of the stroller.
Each locking pivot assembly locks a lower tube portion to an upper
tube portion, and provides release thereof to allow the upper tube
portion to pivot rearwardly with respect to the lower tube portion
such that the handles fold over the rear wheels of the
stroller.
The above arrangement is known, for example, from strollers sold by
Century Products Co. under the mark "TRAVELITE" and those sold by
Graco Products Co. under the mark "LITERIDER".
However, a problem with such strollers is that the width of the
stroller remains constant at all times, that is, in the open
configuration and the folded configuration. This is because the
side frame halves are connected to each in the widthwise direction
by rigid bars which define the width of the stroller. As a result,
the stroller cannot be folded into a very compact
configuration.
Although umbrella strollers are known which fold in the lengthwise
and widthwise directions, the arrangement is not satisfactory.
Specifically, with conventional umbrella strollers, there is a
lower scissor frame that interconnects the lower ends of the lower
tube portions of the main side tubes with the lower ends of the
rear side tubes, at positions immediately above the front and rear
wheels.
With such umbrella strollers, unlike the aforementioned
arrangement, the upper tube portions pivot forwardly with respect
to the lower tube portions such that the handles fold over the
front wheels of the stroller, and the rear wheels are provided on
the opposite side of the folded stroller. When the lower scissor
frame folds inwardly in the widthwise direction of the stroller to
reduce its widthwise dimension, it necessarily must increase its
lengthwise direction. Thus, because of this lower scissor frame
arrangement and because the wheels are on opposite sides of the
stroller, the length of the folded stroller is much greater than
that of the aforementioned stroller.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a
stroller that overcomes the problems with the aforementioned prior
art.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a stroller
that folds into a very compact configuration.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a
stroller that folds in both the lengthwise and widthwise directions
thereof.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a
stroller that is compact in both the lengthwise and widthwise
directions thereof in the folded configuration.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a stroller
includes a pair of side frames, each side frame including a main
side tube comprised of an upper tube portion, and a lower tube
portion pivotally mounted at an upper end thereof to a lower end of
the upper tube portion, a rear side tube pivotally connected to the
upper tube portion, and a support rod pivotally connected at one
end thereof to the rear side tube and at an opposite end thereof to
the lower tube portion; a rear articulated spreader bar means for
connecting together the rear side tubes of the pair of side frames,
the rear articulated spreader bar means including a pair of rear
pivoting spreader bars, each pivotally connected at one end thereof
to a respective rear side tube and at an opposite end thereof to
the other rear pivoting spreader bar; actuating rod means connected
between the side frames and the rear articulated spreader bar
means, wherein folding of the upper tube portions relative to the
lower tube portions in a lengthwise direction of the stroller
causes articulation of the rear articulated spreader bar means
which results in contraction of the stroller in a widthwise
direction thereof.
Each side frame includes a releasable locking pivot assembly for
pivotally connecting the lower end of the upper tube portion to the
upper end of the lower tube portion, such that the upper tube
portion folds rearwardly of the respective lower tube portion.
Thus, with front wheels mounted to lower ends of the lower tube
portions, rear wheels mounted to lower ends of the rear side tubes,
and handles mounted to upper ends of the upper tube portions, the
front and rear wheels and the handles are adjacent each other in a
folded configuration of the stroller.
The actuating rod means is connected between the support rods and
each of the rear articulated spreader bar means. Specifically, the
actuating rod means includes a first actuating rod pivotally
connected at one end thereof to the support rod of one side frame
and pivotally connected at an opposite end thereof to one rear
pivoting spreader bar, a second actuating rod pivotally connected
at one end thereof to the support rod on the other side frame and
pivotally connected at an opposite end thereof to the other the
front pivoting spreader bar.
The rear articulated spreader bar means further includes another
pair of rear pivoting spreader bars positioned above the one pair
of rear pivoting spreader bars, each rear pivoting spreader bar of
the other pair of rear pivoting spreader bars being pivotally
connected at one end thereof to a respective rear side tube and at
an opposite end thereof to the other rear pivoting spreader bar;
and a connecting bar connected between the pivot connection of the
rear pivoting spreader bars of the one pair of rear pivoting
spreader bars and the pivot connection of the rear pivoting
spreader bars of the other pair of rear pivoting spreader bars.
A scissor frame is connected between the rear pivoting spreader
bars of both pairs of rear pivoting spreader bars.
An upper articulated spreader bar means connects together the upper
tube portions of the pair of side frames, the upper articulated
spreader bar means including a pair of upper pivoting spreader
bars, each pivotally connected at one end thereof to a respective
upper tube portion and at an opposite end thereof to the other
upper pivoting spreader bar.
The stroller further includes a collapsible seat support structure
connected between the pair of side frames. The collapsible seat
support structure includes two rear support bars, each pivotally
hinged at an outer end thereof to a respective support rod and
extending horizontally inwardly of the stroller; two front support
bars, each pivotally hinged at an outer end thereof to a respective
support rod and extending horizontally inwardly of the stroller;
and a connecting bar pivotally connected to inner ends of the rear
and front support bars.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a
stroller includes a pair of side frames, each side frame including
a main side tube comprised of an upper tube portion, and a lower
tube portion pivotally mounted at an upper end thereof to a lower
end of the upper tube portion, a rear side tube pivotally connected
to the upper tube portion, and a support rod pivotally connected at
one end thereof to the rear side tube and at an opposite end
thereof to the lower tube portion; a rear articulated spreader bar
means for connecting together the rear side tubes of the pair of
side frames, the rear articulated spreader bar means including a
pair of rear pivoting spreader bars, each pivotally connected at
one end thereof to a respective rear side tube and at an opposite
end thereof to the other rear pivoting spreader bar; a front
articulated spreader bar means for connecting together the lower
tube portions of the pair of side frames, the front articulated
spreader bar means including a pair of front pivoting spreader
bars, each pivotally connected at one end thereof to a respective
lower tube portion and at an opposite end thereof to the other
front pivoting spreader bar; and actuating rod means connected
between the side frames and each of the rear articulated spreader
bar means and the front articulated spreader bar means, wherein
folding of the upper tube portions relative to the lower tube
portions in a lengthwise direction of the stroller causes
articulation of the rear articulated spreader bar means and the
front articulated spreader bar means which results in contraction
of the stroller in a widthwise direction thereof.
In addition, the actuating rod means further includes a third
actuating rod pivotally connected at one end thereof to the support
rod on the one side frame and pivotally connected at an opposite
end thereof to one front pivoting spreader bar, and a fourth
actuating rod pivotally connected at one end thereof to the support
rod on the other side frame and pivotally connected at an opposite
end thereof to the other front pivoting spreader bar.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the
invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed
description thereof which is to be read in connection with the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the frame of a stroller according
to the present invention, in its fully opened configuration;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the frame of FIG. 1 in its
partially closed configuration;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the frame of FIG. 1 in its fully
closed configuration, viewed from the side thereof;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the frame of FIG. 1 in its fully
closed configuration, viewed from the rear thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawings in detail, the present invention is
directed to a stroller 10 including a pair of spaced apart side
frame halves 12a and 12b, each having a main side tube 14 and a
rear side tube 16 pivotally connected to main side tube 14 at an
intermediate portion thereof.
Each main side tube 14 includes a lower tube portion 14a that is
pivotally mounted at its upper end to the lower end of an upper
tube portion 14b by means of a conventional locking pivot assembly
18. As shown, lower tube portion 14a and upper tube portion 14b are
axially offset slightly from each other. The upper ends of rear
side tubes 16 are pivotally connected to a lower section of upper
tube portions 14b.
Hook shaped handles 20 are fixed to the upper free ends of upper
tube portions 14b. The free lower ends of lower tube portions 14a
carry the front wheels 22 of stroller 10, while the free lower ends
of rear side tubes 16 carry the rear wheels 24 of stroller 10.
Locking pivot assembly 18 locks lower tube portion 14a in parallel,
slightly offset relation to upper tube portion 14b, and thereby
locks stroller 10 in the open configuration shown in FIG. 1, while
providing release thereof to allow upper tube portion 14b to pivot
rearwardly with respect to lower tube portion 14a, and thereby fold
stroller 10 as shown in FIGS. 2-4 such that handles 20 fold
rearwardly over rear wheels 24 of stroller 10.
Two support rods 26 are pivotally connected by pivot pins 28 at
their rear ends to substantially mid-points of rear side tubes 16
so as to be generally horizontally oriented in the open
configuration of FIG. 1. In addition, each support rod 28 is
pivotally secured to the respective lower tube portion 14a
immediately below the respective locking pivot assembly 18 by pivot
pins 30.
In order to connect the two side frame halves 14a and 14b together,
a rear articulated spreader bar mechanism 32 is connected between
rear side tubes 16 so as to hold side frame halves 14a and 14b
apart in the open configuration of stroller 10 shown in FIG. 1.
Rear articulated spreader bar mechanism 32 includes a lower pair of
rear pivoting spreader bars 34a and 34b, each having one end
pivotally connected to a lower portion of a respective rear side
tube 16. The opposite centrally located ends of pivoting bars 34a
and 34b are pivotally connected to each other.
Further, rear articulated spreader bar mechanism 32 includes an
upper pair of pivoting spreader bars 36a and 36b, each having one
end pivotally connected to a mid or upper portion of a respective
rear side tube 16. The opposite centrally located ends of pivoting
bars 36a and 36b are pivotally connected to each other. Pivoting
bars 36a and 36b are positioned above pivoting bars 34a and 34b,
and are parallel thereto. A vertically oriented connecting bar 38
is connected between the pivot connection of pivoting spreader bars
34a and 34b and the pivot connection of pivoting spreader bars 36a
and 36b. As a result, when pivoting spreader bars 34a and 34b are
pivoted with respect to each other, pivoting spreader bars 36a and
36b are also pivoted with respect to each other.
Further, an optional scissor frame 40 is connected between pivoting
spreader bars 34a, 34b, 36a and 36b. Thus, the pair of lower
pivoting spreader bars 34a and 34b can be pivoted with respect to
each other at their pivoting connection, and the other pair of
upper pivoting spreader bars 36a and 36b can be pivoted with
respect to each other at their pivoting connection, for folding
stroller 10 in the widthwise direction thereof. When pivoting
spreader bars 34a, 34b, 36a and 36b are parallel to each other, as
shown in FIG. 1, stroller 10 is in its open position. Since locking
pivot assemblies 18 releasably lock stroller 10 in the open
configuration of FIG. 1, a releasable locking mechanism for
pivoting spreader bars 34a, 34b, 36a and 36b is unnecessary.
Stroller 10 further includes a front articulated spreader bar
mechanism 42 connected between the lower ends of lower tube
portions 14a of main side tubes 14. Front articulated spreader bar
mechanism 72 includes a pair of front pivoting spreader bars 44a
and 44b, each having one end pivotally connected to a lower portion
of a respective lower tube portion 14a. The opposite centrally
located ends of pivoting spreader bars 44a and 44b are pivotally
connected to each other. Thus, pivoting spreader bars 44a and 44b
can pivot between the parallel, aligned relation of the open
configuration of FIG. 1 and the angled relation of the closed
configuration of FIGS. 3 and 4. Each pivoting spreader bar 44a and
44b includes an extension 46 thereon which functions as a foot rest
for a child.
Stroller 10 further includes an upper articulated spreader bar
mechanism 48 connected between the upper ends of upper tube
portions 14b of main side tubes 14, in order to hold the upper ends
of side frame halves 12a and 12b apart in the open configuration of
stroller 10 shown in FIG. 1. Upper articulated spreader bar
mechanism 48 includes a pair of upper pivoting spreader bars 50a
and 50b, each having one end pivotally connected to an upper
portion of a respective upper tube portion 14b. The opposite
centrally located ends of pivoting spreader bars 50a and 50b are
pivotally connected to each other through the intermediary of a
channel member 52. In addition, an actuating rod 53 is pivotally
connected between bar 50b and one rear side tube 16 for opening
spreader bars 50a and 50b upon folding of stroller 10.
A collapsible seat support structure 54 includes two rear support
bars 56, each pivotally hinged at its outer end by a pivot pin 58
to an approximate mid-point of a horizontal support rod 26 and
extending horizontally in a wing-like manner inwardly and forwardly
of stroller 10 in the open configuration of stroller 10.
Collapsible seat support structure 54 further includes two front
support bars 60, each pivotally hinged at its outer end by a pivot
pin 62 to a horizontal support rod 26 forwardly of the connection
of horizontal support rod 26 to lower tube portion 14a, and
extending horizontally in a wing-like manner inwardly and forwardly
of stroller 10 in the open configuration of stroller 10. The inner
ends of rear and front support bars 56 and 60 are pivotally
connected to a connecting bar 64 that extends in the lengthwise
direction of stroller 10.
A fabric (not shown) is stretched between horizontal support rods
26 so as to cover rear and front support bars 56 and 60 and
connecting bar 64. Thus, the fabric is stretched to provide a
seating area for an infant. A fabric (not shown) is also stretched
between upper tube portions 14b to provide a back rest for the
infant. A scissor frame (not shown) can also be provided between
upper tube portions 14b for additionally supporting the fabric of
the back rest.
With the arrangement thus far described, when locking pivot
assemblies 18 are unlocked, upper tube portions 14b can be pivoted
forwardly of lower tube portions 14a in the lengthwise direction of
stroller 10. Thus, in the folded configuration of stroller 10, as
shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, front wheels 22, rear wheels 24 and handles
20 are all on the same side of stroller 10.
At the same time, stroller 10 can be folded in the widthwise
direction by pivoting spreader bars 34a and 34b, bars 36a and 36b,
bars 44a and 44b and bars 50a and 50b relative to each other around
the central pivot points thereof. This causes each pair of bars 56
and each pair of bars 60 to pivot relative to each other. As a
result, stroller 10 can achieve a very compact folded
condition.
In order to provide that stroller 10 automatically collapses in the
widthwise direction when folding stroller 10 in the lengthwise
direction thereof, actuating rods 66, 68, 70 and 72 are
provided.
Specifically, actuating rod 66 is pivotally connected at one end to
a triangular flange 74 hanging down from an approximate mid-point
of horizontal support rod 26 of side frame half 12a, and is
pivotally connected at the opposite end to lower pivoting spreader
bar 34a at the pivot position thereof with scissor frame 40.
Actuating rod 68 is pivotally connected at one end to a triangular
flange 74 hanging down from an approximate mid-point of horizontal
support rod 26 of side frame half 12b, and is pivotally connected
at the opposite end to lower pivoting spreader bar 34b at the pivot
position thereof with scissor frame 40.
Actuating rod 70 is pivotally connected at one end to triangular
flange 74 on side frame half 12a, and is pivotally connected at the
opposite end to a mid-point of front pivoting spreader bar 44a.
Actuating rod 72 is pivotally connected at one end to triangular
flange 74 on side frame half 12b, and is pivotally connected at the
opposite end to a mid-point of front pivoting spreader bar 44b.
Thus, when folding stroller 10 in the lengthwise direction thereof,
that is, about locking pivot assemblies 18, actuating rods 66, 68,
70 and 72, which are of a fixed length, cause the center pivot
point of front pivoting spreader bars to pivot downwardly, and
cause the center pivot point of lower pivoting spreader bars 34a
and 34b to pivot upwardly. As a result, bars 34a and 34b, bars 36a
and 36b, bars 44a and 44b and bars 50a and 50b pivot relative to
each other around the central pivot points thereof, so that
stroller 10 is automatically folded in the widthwise direction. As
a result, stroller 10 can achieve a very compact folded
condition.
Of course, it will be appreciated that various modifications may be
effected within the scope of the invention. For example, it may be
possible to eliminate actuating bars 70 and 72. Alternatively,
actuating bars 68 and 72 may be eliminated.
Having described a specific preferred embodiment of the invention
with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be appreciated
that the present invention is not limited to that precise
embodiment and that various changes and modifications can be
effected therein by one of ordinary skill in the art without
departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined by
the appended claims.
* * * * *